German Embassy and FICCI Host Exclusive Climate Talk on ‘Digital Agriculture for Climate’

The German Embassy, in cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), organized an insightful Climate Talk session on October 16, 2024, at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi focusing on ‘Digital Agriculture for Climate.’ This exclusive event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, agricultural experts, and innovators to discuss the critical convergence of digital technology and climate-smart agriculture in addressing the challenges faced by the sector.

Hemant Seth, Senior Director and Head of Food Processing, Agriculture, and Water at FICCI, delivered the welcome address. He underscored the relevance of the event, saying, "We stand at the intersection of critical challenges in agriculture and climate resilience, as unpredictable weather patterns and declining yields pose dual threats of feeding a growing population and combating the effects of climate change." He emphasized that the future of agriculture depends on innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. He pointed to precision farming, AI-powered crop management systems, and climate forecast models as transformative technologies, helping to optimize water usage, minimize wastage, and enhance crop yields.

Seth also highlighted FICCI’s initiatives to promote climate-resilient crops and practices through farmer training programs, encouraging the adoption of sustainable and climate-smart methods.

In his opening remarks, Georg Enzweiler, Deputy Chief of Mission at the German Embassy, elaborated on the German-Indian collaboration for sustainable development. He remarked, "We have been hosting a series of Climate Talks over the past 18 months. This effort stems from the Green Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) initiated in 2022 between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at promoting sustainable development practices." He further emphasized the dual challenge of agriculture being both impacted by climate change and contributing to it through greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and water misuse.

The event featured an insightful panel discussion with distinguished speakers, including Georg Enzweiler (Moderator), Dr. Sebastian Bosse, Martin Kuntze-Fechner, Pujitha Bandi, and Anand Chandra. The panellists shared their expertise and thoughts on how digital technology is transforming agriculture and helping it adapt to climate change.

Dr. Sebastian Bosse, Head of Interactive & Cognitive Systems at the Fraunhofer Institute, provided valuable insights on the role of data-driven technologies in fostering climate-resilient agriculture. He emphasized the intricate connection between agriculture and climate change, noting that agriculture not only contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, inefficient irrigation, pollution, and soil degradation but also operates in a climate-controlled environment. "When we experience changes in weather patterns, such as droughts or floods, agriculture feels the immediate impact," he said.

Dr. Bosse stressed the urgent need to make agriculture more resilient to climate change while also reducing its environmental footprint. He pointed out that while advanced digital technologies—such as AI, computer vision, and recommendation systems—are available, their integration into agriculture is still lacking.

He went on to illustrate how AI services are being successfully used by farmers in Europe to boost productivity. However, he highlighted several challenges, including data brokerage, the use of drones, and the need for better data management in agriculture. Through a detailed presentation, Dr. Bosse also discussed the ACRAT project, which aims to address these challenges by developing practical, technology-driven solutions for farmers.

Martin Kuntze-Fechner, from Project ACRAT, GFA Group, provided insights into the ACRAT project, which employs a multi-stakeholder approach to develop a resilient and sustainable agricultural framework. He explained that the project harnesses cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create data-driven solutions tailored specifically to the needs of small-scale farmers in Telangana. By engaging farmers, researchers, policymakers, and technology providers, the project bridges the gap between broad policy initiatives and the day-to-day challenges faced by individual farmers, ensuring solutions are both scalable and locally applicable.

“A key element of the project is its holistic strategy, which integrates technological advancements, capacity building, and ongoing collaboration across sectors. Central to this approach is the creation of a ‘test hub’ that connects existing platforms like the Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX) and Germany’s NaLaMKI platform, while also addressing issues of interoperability. This hub will deliver real-time data and actionable insights, empowering farmers to make informed decisions that boost productivity and improve resource efficiency. Ultimately, the platform is designed to provide farmers with the tools they need to enhance their agricultural practices, adapt to climate challenges, and contribute to sustainable farming at a local level,” Martin added.

Pujitha Bandi, Digital Transformation Lead for APAC at Bayer, shared insights into Bayer's digital solutions for farmers, emphasizing the company's commitment to sustainable development through innovative technologies. "At Bayer, we focus on developing climate-resilient products and advanced solutions in crop protection, data, and AI. While we excel at creating these products, we’ve come to realize that farmers themselves are even more resilient than the tools we provide. Farming is deeply ingrained in their identity, with methods passed down through generations, making it a significant challenge to drive behavioral change and earn their trust," Bandi explained.

She further highlighted Bayer's efforts in promoting Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) as an innovative method, alongside organizing extensive training sessions to help farmers embrace new technologies. According to Bandi, the adoption of these modern practices is crucial for improving productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability. "Farmers should evolve from traditional techniques to more efficient and resilient farming methods to meet future demands," she added.

Anand Chandra, Co-Founder and COO of Arya.ag, emphasized that technology adoption among farmers, it must be both affordable and practical. He noted, "When developing agricultural technology, we must prioritize affordability to ensure it is accessible to farmers. Technology should add value to their operations, as farmers will only be willing to invest in it if they see tangible benefits. Additionally, farmers seek a guarantee that the product will deliver on its promises, which is crucial for fostering trust and encouraging widespread adoption."

The panel discussion was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where climate enthusiasts in attendance had the opportunity to interact with the dignitaries. Thought-provoking questions were posed to the speakers, leading to valuable discussions on the future of agriculture and climate resilience. The event concluded with a networking session, offering participants the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas, followed by a delightful dinner.